Clamp for header brace



Feb. 20, 1968 J. c. WHEELER 3,369,333

CLAMP FOR HEADER BRACE Filed March 1, 1966 |NVENTOR JOHN C. WHEELERUnited States Patent 3,369,333 CLAMP FOR HEADER BRACE John C. Wheeler,Lovington, N. Mex., assignor of forty percent to Otis R. Kitchens,Lovington, N. Mex. Filed Mar. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 530,829 2 Claims. (Cl.52-210) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Wooden frame structure is reinforcedat a header over a door by a sheet metal box which encircles the postand extends over the header.

This invention relates to carpentry, particularly to construction ofwooden frame structures and, more particularly, to header braces fordoors or windows.

In the construction of houses, difliculty is often experienced withwarping and subsequent twisting of the framing at the upper corners ofdoors and windows, resulting in cracking of plaster or other wallcovering.

This invention solves the problem by providing a sheet metal brace forthis joint to maintain the elements rigidly in the proper positionv Anobject of this invention is to provide a brace for headers in woodenframe construction.

Other objects are to achieve the above with a device that is sturdy,compact, durable, simple, safe, versatile, and reliable, yet inexpensiveand easy to manufacture and install.

The specific nature of the invention, as Well as other objects, uses,and advantages thereof, will clearly appear from the followingdescription and from the accompany- 7 ing drawing, the different viewsof which are not necessarily to the same scale, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention beforeinstallation.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention partiallyformed.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, one may see representedthere the framing of a door opening 10.

The framing includes vertical door posts 12 on either side of theopening 10. Each post includes two rectangular studs 14 and 16. Insideor short stud 14 extends from the floor to beneath header 18 and theoutside or long stud 16 extends from the floor to plate 20. The flatsides of the studs are nailed together.

The header 18 includes two rectangular beams 22 with their flat sidesnailed together with spacer blocks (not shown) between them so that thethickness of the header 18 is equal to the width of the studs 14 and 16.The beams 22 are set on edge on top the short stud 14 for support andabut the long stud 16. Each beam 22 is nailed to both studs.

Brace 30 is made of a single piece of sheet metal and is generallybox-shaped. The back 32 of the brace 30 is nailed to the outside of theoutside stud 16 (thus to the outside of the post 12) at the header 18.The sides 34 of the box are nailed to each side of the post 12 which isthe edge of the two studs 14 and 16. Each of the sides 34 has a cut orslot 36 in it, forming two tabs 38 and 40 on each side. The slots are atright angles or normal to the sides. The slots 36 are at the bottom ofthe header 18.

The upper tabs 38 extend as wings along each of the sides of the header18 and are securely nailed thereto. The lower tabs 40 are folded overthe inside of the inside stud 14 and overlap. Thus the lower tabs formenveloping wings around the post 12. The tabs 40 may be spot-welded at42 of the overlap.

The brace box 30 is securely nailed to each stud 14 and 16 and each beam22. Each side of the door opening 10 has such a brace between the post12 and header 18.

It may be seen that the brace 30 is readily constructed from arectangular piece of sheet metal. The slots 36 are cut from each sidenormal to the side and aligned with each other. The uncut length betweenthe slots is equal to the width of the stud 16 (which is also the widthof stud 14) plus twice the combined breadth of the studs 14 and 16.

Analysis of the brace 30 will be shown that it provides maximumreinforcement for the joint between the posts 12 and header 18,minimizing the twisting resulting from warping of the member.

It will be apparent that the embodiment shown is only exemplary and thatvarious modifications can be made in construction, materials, andarrangement within the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a wooden frame structure having (a) an opening, such as a door,

(b) an upright wooden post on either side nailed to an upper platemember, and

(c) a wooden header forming the top of the opening nailed to the posts,

(d) an improved brace for preventing twisting of the wooden members,comprising in combination with the above:

(e) a sheet metal box (1?) extending on the outside of each post at theheader and (g) folded along each side of the post,

(h) said box having wings which extend from the sides of the post alongeach side of the header,

(j) said box also having enveloping wings extending around the inside ofthe post below the header,

(k) said box securely nailed to said post and header,

(m) each post having an identical brace,

(11) each post including two studs of rectangular cross section,

(i) the inside stud terminating under the header and (ii) the outer studextending upward to the plate,

(0) the header including two beams of rectangular cross section,

(i) each set on edge on top the inside stud and (ii) each abutting theoutside stud, and

(p) the brace box made from a rectangular piece of sheet metal having(i) two slots cut, one on each side, normal to each side and alignedwith each other, thus forming four tabs,

(ii) the uncut portion between the slots being of a length equal to thewidth of the stud plus the combined breadth,

(q) so that said tabs form the afore-described wings.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein (r) the enveloping wingsoverlap and are welded together at the overlap on the inside of thepost.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 933,067 9/1909 Ferry 287-20921,860,650 5/1932 Brace 287-2092 2,611,160, 9/1952 Hanesse 287-2092KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner.

